Justice and Virtue in John Rawls' A Theory of Justice

There is a natural instinct in humans to have a justified reason for everything they do, even if they are not aware of it. It is the product of psychological reasoning. Everybody wants to be treated the same. Justice covers a broad area covered mostly by equality. “Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with similar liberty for others.” (Rawls 60). That quote was the first principle of justice from John Rawls A Theory of Justice. Equality is important to society because it maintains everyone getting the same as anyone of any other racial, ethical, or wealth status. The definition of what is just and fair differs greatly because of the views and opinions of everyone.

Justice can be call giving a person what they deserve. Fairness and justice can be used well interchangeably, even though they are considered two different virtues. (Virtue 2). The term fairness is used with great extent in equality issues. In some cases, a fair decision may not be just. There again, it depends on the definitions of justice and fairness is being used.

Virtue may seem like sheer common sense, but it is more a skill for living. Literally, virtue is the conformity to a standard of right. (Virtue 1). There many types of virtue, usually depending on religion. Religion can affect the standard of virtue greatly. There 128 virtues, spanning from benevolence to perseverance to trustworthiness. (Virtue 2). Virtue is a skill. Like any skill, the more you focus on it, the better understanding you have of it. That also applies with virtue in many ways. Virtue is like learning a language, the more you study it, the more you understand it and use it in your live. Virtue is a important aspect in life. Without virtue of any kind, life as we know it most likely would had never reached the point that it has today. It might be safe to say that the human race may have been well extinct. Virtue is all about doing that which is good. Doing good may not always come first hand. First, you must know what to do. Then you must have skill to know how to do it. Finally, you must have virtue to actually do it. Determining what is just and virtuous can bring up many problems.